Kick off 2026 with a visit to the Mattapoisett Free Public Library, located at 7 Barstow Street.
Teens ages 14 to 17 are invited to join us on Friday, January 2 at 2:00 pm for a Game Lounge at the library. Get out of the house and play some video games with your friends.
Gather your family and join us for Family Jeopardy on Saturday, January 3 at 1:00 pm. Enjoy some friendly competition as your family competes against others in a battle of wits. All ages are welcome. No registration is required.
Students in grades 9-12 are invited to our monthly Teen Advisory Board meeting on Tuesday, January 6, at 6:00 pm. The Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is an action-oriented group of students who work to integrate their youthful voices into MFPL’s services, programming, goals, and communications. Join us as we discuss ideas for winter reading and prepare to conclude our donation drive for Veterans. New members are always welcome.
The Teen Advisory Board continues collecting new hats, gloves, and scarves to benefit the Veterans Transition House in New Bedford. Donations may be left in the library bins until January 11. TAB appreciates your support of our veterans’ needs.
The Friends of the Mattapoisett Library’s monthly used Book Sale is on Saturday, January 10, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Book donations will be accepted on Thursday, January 8, and Friday, January 9, from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm in the library’s meeting room.
Our Silent Book Club returns on Sunday, January 11, at 2:00 pm in the upstairs Reading Rooms. Participants will enjoy delicious treats, tea, and quiet time to read. Relax with friends, acquaintances, and strangers while learning about your next favorite book. The event is for patrons ages 16 and up – no registration required.
Emerging adults 20-and-up are invited to join us for our first Literary Society meeting on Tuesday, January 13, at 5:30 pm. Literary Society is a quarterly media mixer for young professionals in Mattapoisett and surrounding communities to discuss books, TV shows, movies, and podcasts, and to hear what other similarly-aged patrons are enjoying – no registration required.
The next meeting of the Friends of the Mattapoisett Library is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, at 6:00 pm. All are welcome to attend. A Zoom link to the meeting is available upon request. If you have any questions, please contact the library at mfpl@sailsinc.org. We can pass along your message to the Friends.
Join Robert Ainsworth at the library on Sunday, January 18, at 2:00 pm to hear the story of history’s swindlers. From seagoing merchants in the Mediterranean to Charles Ponzi in the 1920s, to Bernie Madoff in the 1990s, and to bitcoin on the internet, people have wanted to get rich quick. They want easy money – the money others sweated to make and had the discipline to save. And they’ll stop at nothing to get it. No registration required.
Join our next Board Game Club on Tuesday, January 20, at 6:00 pm. This month’s pick is “Ticket to Ride,” a turn-based strategy game where players collect various types of train car cards to claim railway routes across North America. Recommended for 2 to 5 players, but teams can be formed to accommodate more players.*If you’ve never played before, please arrive 15 minutes early to review the rules. Space is limited. Register online to save your spot.
Join Cathy Karp, a former Montessori art school teacher, for another Visible Mending workshop* on Saturday, January 24, from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Cathy’s workshop will introduce patrons to the art of mending textiles. Participants will learn to use embroidery, patching, and darning techniques to create unique, sustainable pieces that give new life to old clothing. Attendees are encouraged to bring a few items they want to mend; all other materials will be provided. This program is recommended for teens through seniors. Space is limited. Registration is required. *The workshop lasts three hours, so bring a light snack or a covered beverage.
The Well-Read Wednesdays Nonfiction Book Group meets on the Fourth Wednesday of every month at 6:00 pm in the Marine Room. The next meeting is scheduled for January 28. We will discuss “Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here: The United States, Central America, and the Making of a Crisis” by Jonathan Blitzer. New members welcome. No registration required.
Please remember that a library card is required at checkout. If your card is missing, we can replace it. To avoid losing it again, download the SAILS mobile app. It’s an excellent alternative to carrying your physical library card. Please see a librarian if you need help or have questions. Your privacy is important to us. Let’s protect it together.
As always, our programs and events are free and open to everyone. For more information, please visit us at 7 Barstow Street, online at www.mattapoisettlibrary.org, or call the library at 508-758-4171.